Massachusetts Man Indicted for Social Security Fraud

BOSTON – Charges of social security fraud against a Newburyport man were unsealed today in federal court.

John Flaherty, 60, was indicted yesterday with theft of government money. The indictment alleges that from 1999 to 2012, Mr. Flaherty received Social Security payments intended for his mother, Eileen Flaherty who had passed away. Flaherty received payments totaling $168,830.

The maximum sentence under the statute is 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz and Scott Antolik, Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Office, made the announcement today. The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Landry of Ortiz’s Major Crimes Unit.

The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.